Where the price sits
Outright odds: 80/1 (81.00) Group: L Manager: Zlatko Dalić
Tactical setup
Midfield-dominant 4-3-3 with Modrić dictating. Veteran-heavy, slow build-up..
Key players
- Luka Modrić (Central midfielder) — Captain at 40, 5th WC — AC Milan form proves he’s still tournament-level
- Mateo Kovačić (Central midfielder) — Press-resistant ball-carrier — recovered from injury-hit Man City season
- Joško Gvardiol (Centre back / Left back) — World-class defender giving Croatia legitimate back-line quality
What can derail them
No major absentees. Kovačić returned from injury.
Form going in
7W-1D in qualifying, 26 goals for / 4 against. Only dropped points to Czechia.
The betting view
Group L with England, Ghana, Panama — likely second place puts them in a tough R16. QF ceiling is fair, fade SF runs.
How Croatia fit the wider tournament
Croatia sit in a tournament where Spain are the heavy favourites at 9/2 (5.50), with France 11/2 (6.50) and England 6/1 (7.00) chasing. Brazil and Argentina are joint at 17/2 (9.50). See our full World Cup 2026 outright predictions for the head-to-head pricing analysis.
Related content
- World Cup 2026 hub — full tournament overview
- Group L preview
- Best betting sites for WC 2026
- Free bets for the World Cup 2026
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